Shoe with Hinged Sole

ABSTRACT

A shoe comprising a front part and a back part placed on a sole, wherein the sole incorporates a hinge pivotally connecting the front and the back part for opening and closing the shoe. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the shoe in closed position. The hinge consist of a first hinge part and a second hinge part, the first and the second hinge parts being connected at a pivot. The first part of the hinge extends from one side of the pivot to the other side of the pivot. The invention also concerns a hinge for such shoe.

The present invention relates to a shoe comprising a front part and a back part placed on a sole wherein the sole incorporates a hinge pivotally connecting the front part and the back part for opening and closing the shoe. The shoe may also comprise a locking mechanism for locking the shoe in closed position. The invention further concerns a hinge for a shoe with a hinged sole.

Such a shoe, that may be opened and closed by turning the front part of the shoe relative to the back part of the shoe, facilitates stepping in and out the shoe. This is beneficial in any case but in particular for persons that for whatever reason experience difficulties in stepping in and out a shoe. EP 2 173 208 discloses such a shoe. The locking mechanism is integrated in the axis of the hinge. The drawbacks of this shoe are that the locking mechanism is relatively small for the forces exercised on it and that the locking mechanism may show considerable wear in time, resulting in failure. For comfort reason the tolerance in the locking mechanism should be small, however this results in a less reliable and less smooth locking of the locking mechanism. Moreover the user of the shoe is clearly aware of the presence of the hinge, which is perceived as unpleasant.

Also Dutch patent 1020208 discloses such a shoe. The locking mechanism consists of a slide in the back part of the sole that is forced by a spring in a cavity in the front part of the sole. The hinge consists of two small pins and the pins together may not suffice to absorb all power exerted on it. The pins are consequently vulnerable for deformation. Also the slide absorbs part of the forces exerted on the shoe and as a result of these forces the slide and the cavity may deform. Such deformations may hinder a correct locking and unlocking. Moreover in time this may result in wear and larger tolerances between slide and cavity, which is unacceptable for comfort reasons. The presence of the guideway for the slide in the back part of the sole results in a less stiff sole. The shoe is also unstable in open position and may, simply placed on the ground and under gravity, turn itself in the closed and locked position. Moreover, the user of this shoe is clearly aware of the presence of the hinge, which is perceived as unpleasant.

The present invention intends to solve one or more of the problems of the prior art described above, and it is in particular an objective of the invention to provide a shoe with a hinged sole that is robust, durable and is perceived as pleasant to operate and to wear.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized by one or more of the appended claims.

In a first aspect of the invention the hinge comprises a first hinge part and a second hinge part, the first and the second hinge parts being connected at a pivot, wherein at least one of the first hinge part and the second hinge part of the hinge has its extremities on opposite sides, both distant from the pivot. As the first part of the hinge extends from a first side of the pivot to the opposite side at the far end from the first side, the hinge is less perceived by the user, which provides additional comfort to the user. Moreover, the force exercised at the extended first part, by the foot of the user, during closing of the shoe, has an action point at distance from the pivot of the hinge. Due to the resulting leverage, a less large closing force is required, which makes it more easy to step in.

According to a further aspect of the invention the second hinge part is provided with one or more bearing surfaces for supporting the first hinge part. In this way, in closed position of the shoe, the first and second hinge part provide a solid basis for the sole, which further enhances the comfort. Also, such bearing surfaces will absorb a substantial part of the forces exerted between the first and the second hinge part during walking. The pivot and in particular also the locking mechanism experience therefore less load. Because of these bearing surfaces the required manufacturing tolerances are less strict. The shoe is therefore more easy to design and to manufacture.

In again a further aspect of the invention the second hinge part surrounds the first hinge part at least partly. The extended part of the first part of the hinge is then, in closed position of the shoe embedded in the second part of the hinge. This will promote wearing comfort. It also provides the possibility to have the bearing surface of the second part of the hinge around a major part of the circumference of the first part of the hinge and therefore the first part of the hinge will be optimal supported.

The locking mechanism may according to the invention be provided at distance of the pivot of the hinge. Because of this distance to the pivot and due to resulting leverage, the counterforce, which the locking mechanism has to exert on the hinge, in reaction to the forces that tend to open the hinge, are much lower. The hinge is consequently less loaded and will therefore be less vulnerable and more durable. Such locking mechanism at distance of the pivot may according to a further aspect of the invention be provided at the rear of the shoe, in particular at the position of the heel of the shoe. The sole at the rear part of the shoe is in most cases thicker than the other part of the sole and therefore provides more installation space for a locking mechanism. This applies in particular for the heel and according to the invention the locking mechanism may, at least partly, be integrated in the heel.

According to the invention the locking mechanism may be provided with an operating mechanism for releasing and/or locking the locking mechanism. The user of the shoe may operate the locking mechanism by this operating mechanism. For safety reasons, the invention provides a locking mechanism that is provided with means forcing the operating mechanism in a position for locking the locking mechanism. In this way the locking mechanism is maintained in locked position or is forced in that position. The user will only operate the operating mechanism in order to unlock the locking mechanism. According to the invention the operating system may be spring forced.

For comfort reasons the shoe according to the invention may have a locking mechanism that is designed for automatic locking when the shoe is closed. In a further aspect of the invention the locking mechanism may comprise a first contact area connected with the first part of the hinge and a second contact area connected with the operating mechanism, the first and second contact area interacting when closing the shoe such that the operating mechanism temporary is forced in its unlocking position until the shoe is closed. The first and the second contact area may be provided on a first respectively a second hook of the locking mechanism, the first and the second hook interconnecting and locking the shoe in closed position.

According to the invention the hinge of the shoe may be provided with one or more torsion springs, forcing the shoe in open position. This improves ease of use as the shoe will automatically open after unlocking the shoe. The legs of a torsion spring may be embedded in a recess in the first part and/or in the second part of the hinge. This guarantees an optimal transfer of the spring force onto both hinge parts and prevents that the legs of the spring legs are felt through the sole.

The various aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail and will be elucidated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in

FIG. 1, a shoe according to the invention in open position;

FIG. 2, a shoe according to the invention in closed position;

FIG. 3, a hinge of a shoe according to the invention in closed position;

FIG. 4, the hinge of FIG. 3 in open position;

FIG. 5, the hinge of FIG. 3 in cross section;

FIG. 6, the hinge of FIG. 3 provided with a torsion spring;

FIG. 7, a hinge according to the invention with automatic locking mechanism, in cross section and in locked position;

FIG. 8, the hinge of FIG. 7 in unlocked position;

FIG. 9, the hinge of FIGS. 7 and 8 in intermediate position, while moved from unlocked to locked position;

FIG. 10, a hinge with an alternative locking mechanism;

FIG. 11, a form-closed type locking mechanism;

FIG. 12, a locking mechanism provided with a tilt closure;

FIG. 13, a locking mechanism with a gear rack; and

FIG. 14, a locking mechanism provided with a sideward tilt closure.

With reference to FIG. 1, the shoe 1 according to the invention is shown in open position (for instance with a maximum opening angle of 40 degrees) with a foot 2 of person stepping in the open shoe. The shoe comprises a front part 3 and a back part 4 and is provided with a sole 5. The front part consists of upper 6 connected to stiffening means 9. The back part consists of upper 7 connected to stiffening means 10. A hinge 8 is incorporated in the sole 5. The hinge consists of a first hinge part 8 a, second hinge part 8 b, and a pivot 8 c. The back part 4 of the shoe may be turned around this pivot 8 c of the hinge 8 towards the front part 3 of the shoe 1 such that the shoe 1 is closed and the edges 11 and 12 rest against each other, as is shown in FIG. 2. The shoe 1 is locked in closed position.

The hinge 8 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a first hinge part 8 a and a second hinge part 8 b, the first and the second hinge parts 8 a, 8 b being connected at a pivot 8 c, wherein in this shown embodiment the first hinge part 8 a of the hinge 8 has its extremities on opposite sides distant from the pivot 8 c. The hinge 8, shown in FIG. 3 in closed position, is in FIG. 4 shown in open position. As a consequence of this feature the first hinge part 8 a has an extended part 16, extending beyond the pivot 8 c into the area of second hinge part 8 b. As a result of the extended part 16 of the hinge part 8 a, the hinge 8, in particular the pivot 8 c thereof, is less perceived by the user. The force exercised at extended part 16 of the extended first hinge part 8 a has an action point at distance from the pivot 8 c of the hinge 8. Due to leverage, a less large closing force is required and consequently it is more easy to step in.

The extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a has at its bottom a stair profile which provides several surfaces 13 a and 14 a. The same hinge 8 is also shown in FIG. 4, in cross section. The second hinge part 8 b is also provided with a stair profile with several bearing surfaces 13 b and 14 b. The surface 13 a and 14 a of the first hinge part 8 a interact, in closed position of the hinge 8, with the corresponding bearing surfaces 13 b and 14 b of the second hinge part 8 b. The first and second hinge part 8 a and 8 b of this embodiment provide a solid basis for the sole, which further enhances the comfort. Also, the bearing surfaces 13 b and 14 b will absorb a substantial part of the forces exerted between the first and the second hinge part 8 a and 8 b during walking. The pivot 8 c and in particular a locking mechanism, as hereinafter described, experience therefore less load. Because of these bearing surface 13 a/b and 14 a/b the required manufacturing tolerances are less strict. The shoe is therefore more easily to design and manufacture.

As shown in the FIGS. 3-5, the second hinge part 8 b surrounds the extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a. The extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a of the hinge 8 is, in closed position of the shoe 1 embedded in the second part 8 b of the hinge 8. This provides wearing comfort. Also, the first part 8 a of the hinge 8 is optimal supported along the circumference of the extended part 16.

The hinge 8 of FIG. 3 is in FIG. 6 provided with a torsion spring 17 around pivot 8 c. The legs 18 and 19 of the torsion spring 17 are embedded in recesses 20 and 21 in the first part 8 a respectively in the second part 8 b of the hinge 8. Several torsion springs 17 may be provided around pivot 8 c to obtain a sufficient strong force. The torsion spring 17 forces the hinge 8 and, therefore the shoe 1, in open position. This improves ease of use as the shoe 1 will automatically open after unlocking the shoe 1. As the legs 18 and 19 of a torsion spring 17 are embedded in the recesses 20 respectively 21, an optimal transfer of the spring force onto both hinge parts 8 a and 8 b is guaranteed and same it prevents that the legs of the spring are felt through the sole.

The hinge 8 of FIG. 7 consists of the first hinge part 8 a, that extends from one side of the pivot 8 c to the other side of pivot 8 c, with the extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a at the pivot side of the second hinge part 8 b. Around the pivot 8 c a torsion spring 17 is placed, of which also one of the spring legs 19 is shown. The torsion spring 17 forces the hinge 8 in open position in order to facilitate stepping in and out of the shoe. When the foot of user has entered the shoe and pushes the extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a downward, this will provide a sufficient counterforce to the force of torsion spring 17 to close the shoe. In order to maintain the shoe in closed position a locking mechanism 22 is provided. This locking mechanism 22 is provided at distance of the pivot 8 c of the hinge 8. Because of this distance to the pivot and due to resulting leverage, the counterforce, which the locking mechanism has to exert on the hinge in reaction to the forces that tend to open the hinge, are much lower. The hinge 8 will therefore be less vulnerable and more durable.

The locking mechanism 22 is provided at the rear of the shoe, at the position of the heel of the shoe. The sole at the rear part of the shoe is in most cases thicker than the other part of the sole and therefore provides more installation space for a locking mechanism. This applies in particular for the heel.

The locking mechanism 22 is provided with an operating mechanism 23 for releasing and/or locking the locking mechanism. The operating mechanism 23 extends rearward from the shoe so that it may be operated by the user. The operating mechanism 23 is slide-able positioned in the heel of the shoe and is secured there by a pin 24. The pin 24 extends in a slot at the bottom of the operating mechanism 23. The operating mechanism 23 is connected with hook 25. This hook 25 may in locked position interact with hook 26, which hook 26 is connected to the extended part 16 of the first hinge part 8 a. Operating mechanism 23 is spring loaded by spring 27. This spring 27 forces the operating mechanism 23 in a position for locking, such that the hooks 25 and 26 interconnect. This is a safe construction. The locking mechanism 22 will during wearing/walking be maintained in closed position. Only when the user operates the operating mechanism 23, by pushing it in, the hooks 25 and 26 will be released and, if the user reduces foot pressure, the torsion spring 19 will push the shoe in open position. The operating mechanism 23 is designed for soft touch operation by hand, however, is also easy to operate by pushing it with the other foot. In the latter case the user does not even have to bend. This is comfortable for any user and even more for users that are handicapped or observe temporarily restricted mobility.

The other way around, when the user enters the shoe, the first and second hinge parts 8 a and 8 b will be pushed against the force of the torsion spring 17 into closed position. The locking mechanism 22 will now automatically be closed, as has been shown in FIG. 9. Booth hook 25 and 26 are provided with respectively contact areas 28 and 29. When closing the shoe the contact areas 28 and 29 interact such that the operating mechanism 23 temporary is forced in its unlocking position until the shoe is closed. In closed position the spring 27 forces the operating mechanism 23 in its locked position.

In order to further improve strength of the locking mechanism 22, the locking mechanism may be provide with several interacting hooks 25, 26. Application of several hooks may also further enhance proper closing and may reduce play and wear.

The locking mechanism of the hinge may have different embodiments and may be tuned to the requirements of a specific shoe. For instance in FIG. 10 a simple pin 30 is provided in the second hinge part 8 a. In closed position of the shoe the pin also reaches in a bore or sleeve in the first hinge part 8 a, interconnecting both hinge parts.

In FIG. 11 the pin 32 has a profile matching a corresponding profile of the sleeve 33. When closing the shoe and pushing the pin 32, against the pressure of spring 40, both profiles are aligned. If after closing the pin 32 is released, it will return to its starting point. Both the profile of pin 32 and that of sleeve 33 are then no longer aligned and the hinge will be maintained in closed position until the pin 32 is pushed again.

The locking mechanism of FIG. 12 consists of a tilt closure 34, which may tilt around a pivot 41. The tilt closure 34 is spring loaded so that it will maintain its locking position with the hook 41 engaging the first hinge part 8 a, until the tilt closure 34 is pushed. A similar, however sideward, tilting closure 38 is provide in FIG. 14. The vertical pivot 39 is again spring loaded by a torsion spring and the hook 42 of tilt closure 38 reaches in a sideward bore 43 in the first hinge part 8 a.

In FIG. 13 a smooth operating gear rack 44 is provided. The gear rack 44 consists of a pin 35 interacting with gear 36. Gear 36 on its turn interacts with pin 37. Pin 37 may be pushed in or pulled out of bore 45 of the first hinge part 8 a by pulling respectively pushing pin 35.

To the person skilled in art it is obvious that the above given embodiments represent only a few of the many possible variations in which the shoe according to the invention may be embodied. Therefore the embodiments given here must be understood as an elucidation to the appended claims without limiting the scope of the invention. Within the protective scope numerous variations are conceivable, which may include for example, embodiments wherein the hinge or parts thereof are provided with ribs to strengthen and/or to stiffen certain areas of the hinge. In this way the hinge may be designed for a low overall weight and still be sufficient strong and stiff. Another variation may be the position of the operating mechanism for locking and/or releasing the locking mechanism. This position of the operating mechanism is not restricted to the rear of the shoe, however may alternatively be provided at the lateral or medial side of the shoe, or even at the upper side of the shoe. 

1. A shoe comprising a front part and a back part placed on a sole and a locking mechanism for locking the shoe in closed position, wherein the sole incorporates a hinge for opening and closing the shoe pivotally connecting the front and the back part characterized in that, the hinge comprises a first hinge part and a second hinge part, the first and the second hinge parts being connected at a pivot, wherein at least one of the first hinge part and the second hinge part of the hinge has its extremities on opposite sides, both distant from the pivot.
 2. A shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the second hinge part is provided with one or more bearing surfaces for supporting the first hinge part.
 3. A shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the second hinge part surrounds the first hinge part at least partly.
 4. A shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism is provided at distance of the pivot of the hinge.
 5. A shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism is provided at the rear of the shoe, in particular at the position of the heel of the shoe.
 6. A shoe according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking mechanism is, at least partly, integrated in the heel.
 7. A shoe according to claim 1 one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism is provided with an operating mechanism for releasing and/or locking the locking mechanism.
 8. A shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism is provided with means forcing the operating mechanism in a position for locking the locking mechanism.
 9. A shoe according to claim 8, characterized in that the operating mechanism is spring forced.
 10. A shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism is designed for automatic locking when the shoe is closed.
 11. A shoe according to claim 10, characterized in that locking mechanism comprises a first contact area connected with the first part of the hinge and a second contact area connected with the operating mechanism, the first and second contact area interacting when closing the shoe such that the operating mechanism temporary is forced in its unlocking position until the shoe is closed.
 12. A shoe according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and the second contact area are provided on a first respectively a second hook of the locking mechanism, the first and the second hook interconnecting and locking the shoe in closed position.
 13. A shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge is provided with one or more torsion springs, forcing the shoe in open position.
 14. A shoe according to claim 13, characterized in that one or more of the legs of a torsion spring are embedded in a recesses in the first part and/or in the second part of the hinge.
 15. A hinge for a shoe according to claim
 1. 